Crosswalk.com aims to offer the most compelling biblically-based content to Christians on their walk with Jesus. Crosswalk.com is your online destination for all areas of Christian Living – faith, family, fun, and community. Each category is further divided into areas important to you and your Christian faith including Bible study, daily devotions, marriage, parenting, movie reviews, music, news, and more.

Our Journey Online - July 24, 2012

2012Jul 24

COMMENTS

A Child’s Place

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),3“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. —Ephesians 6:1-4

Most of us wish lots of things for our kids. And often, particularly with Christian parents, knowing our children have a healthy relationship with God is somewhere on the list. Here’s a hard truth for parents to swallow. You cannot guarantee that your children will become followers of Jesus Christ. And there is nothing you can do to guarantee that they will. But there are some things that you could do to guarantee that they won’t (see verse 4 above). God makes it clear, however, that He wants us to bring our children up a certain way.

As an application of Ephesians 6:1 , we taught our kids the three rules of obedience. Here they are:

· Do what you are told.

· Do it immediately.

· Do it with a good attitude.

Why did Paul make obedience so essential in Ephesians 6:1? Why not self-esteem? Why not something about birth order? Why not something about spending quality time with your children? All of those things are good. But why obedience? Because I believe that teaching your children obedience is the foundation for everything. Here are three reasons why from Ephesians 6:1-3 :

· Because obedience is right (v. 6:1b). Children are to obey parents, first because they’re parents and second because the child wants to please the Lord.

· Because if they don’t honor their parents, they will never honor God (v. 6:2). The key to even understanding what it means to honor God is learned and practiced in our relationship with our parents.

· Because if they don’t honor God, life will be miserable and/or short (v. 6:3). God’s Word promises a different quality of life based on learning to honor God and those He has placed over us as parents.

These verses are not—trust me on this—primarily an injunctive to children. It envisions parents with the Bible open and bringing their children in front of what God is asking of them, to get that backing from heaven on what it is they’re supposed to be teaching. Parents are responsible to teach their kids obedience. Kids may not, no, they will not always obey, but they need to understand as deeply as possible what obedience is. That way, when it comes to obeying God, kids will know what that’s all about!—James MacDonald

Journal:

· How did I learn my most important lessons about obedience? In what ways (if you’re a parent) am I giving my children the same opportunities to learn?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, so much of my daily relationship with You comes down to obedience. Am I willing to obey and trust You? Faith is so often demonstrated in obedience. Thank You for having Your Son demonstrate in His life the importance of obedience even when it wasn’t easy, so that I would have a perfect example to follow. Help me to wisely train my children in the practice of obedience and give them the best position from which to be drawn to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What if you believed—truly believed with all confidence that God is with you? How would today go for you if you knew without a doubt that God is in control? What would be different in your life if you were sure God is watching and good? What would you risk if you were certain God is victorious?

Just how would believing God’s promises change your life?

Ask the greatest Christian you’ll ever meet if they hold on to God’s promises and they’ll all say yes. Believing that God will do what He promises leads to a great life. The greatest Christian you’ll every meet knows, treasures, and is resting in the promises of God. They cling to these assurances that God gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work.

So what exactly does God promise? In this topical study of what will always be true, Pastor James MacDonald will explore five great and precious promises that God keeps. Enter into this study with anticipation and faith that the God who makes these promises is faithful and true... always true.